Indoor basketball backboard height adjustable mount

ABSTRACT

A basketball backboard, mount assembly and mounting system is described that is capable of raising and lowering to alter a height of a mounted basketball backboard. The variable height backboard is further capable of raising and lowering without requiring significant spacing between the wall and backboard.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

Federal Sponsorship

Not Applicable

Joint Research Agreement

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains generally to basketball hoop support systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to a height adjustable mount capable of mounting a basketball hoop backboard to a wall. The height adjustment of the mount in accordance with the invention further includes mounting arms attached in a manner that provide a clear view through a translucent backboard, while providing a simplistic mount that doesn't compromise stability.

BACKGROUND

Over the years indoor and outdoor basketball hoops have been held in place with a variety of mounting structures. By way of example, some indoor gymnasiums have suspended mounts that essentially hang the basketball backboard from the ceiling in a rigid manner while at the same time providing a mechanism to pivot and raise the backboard upward towards the ceiling. Other mounting structures permanently mount the backboard to a wall or other fixed structure. Still other mounting structures have mounted the backboard to a pole and moveable base. The mobile base and pole often include a mechanism that allows adjusting the height of a backboard that is attached to the pole. The mounting pole and base can become an obstacle for a player pressing hard toward the net. Similarly, prior height adjustable wall mounts either compromise the desired amount of height adjustment or the distance from the backboard to the wall.

Mounting a basketball backboard to a wall while providing an adjustable height mechanism provides some unique challenges and conflicting desires. Generally, the stability of the mounting structure has been dependent upon the total weight and thickness of the steel used by the mount system. A desire to eliminate wobble of the backboard when a ball hits an outer side of the board may be solved with a heavy mounting system, however, a desire to adjust a height of the backboard requires a lighter weight flexible mount. Further, reduced material costs is desired. Prior indoor wall mounts require a compromise between height adjustability, rigidity of the backboard and visibility through the backboard. It is desirable to provide an indoor backboard mount that is rigid and sturdy and that at least allows for a height adjustment of the basketball rim between 7 and 10 feet. It is further desirable to provide a sturdy mount structure that is not directly visible through a translucent board during a free throw shot.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to aspects of the invention mount a basketball backboard to a wall in a rigid and sturdy manner. According to other aspects, the apparatus of the invention mounts the basketball backboard in a manner that allows a user to simply and efficiently adjust the height of the backboard. Further, the mount structure of the present invention couples to the backboard in a manner that provides an unobstructed view through the inner rectangle of a transparent backboard.

These and other embodiments according to aspects of the invention include an apparatus for coupling a basketball backboard with a wall. The apparatus includes a basketball backboard frame, a base bracket, a wall mount, top braces, bottom braces, a hinge and an actuator. The basketball backboard frame has opposing vertical side supports defining outer sides of the frame, a top horizontal support defining a top of the frame and a bottom horizontal support defining a bottom of the frame. The interior of the frame is defined by the vertical side supports and top and bottom horizontal supports. The interior of the frame is void of supports extending through a mid-portion of the frame. Tabs extend outward from each vertical side support and engage with the top braces. The base bracket is fixed to the bottom horizontal support in a manner such that the base bracket is suitable to mount a basketball hoop thereto without contacting the basketball backboard. The wall mount has two longitudinal members and upper and lower spacer members extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal members. At least two top braces have a first end of each top brace fixed to a spacer that is pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of the wall mount and have a second end of each top brace pivotally connectable to corresponding tabs of the vertical side supports of the frame. At least two bottom braces have a first end of each bottom brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of the wall mount and have a second end of each bottom brace pivotally coupled to the base bracket. A scissor hinge having upper and lower arms that are coupled together at a mid-pivot hinge is engaged to the top and bottom braces. Free ends of the upper hinge arms couple to the upper spacer member of the wall mount and free ends of the lower arms couple to the bottom braces. The actuator has an extendable portion and a base portion, wherein an outer end of said extendable portion couples to said top braces and said base portion is coupled to the mid pivot of said scissor hinge.

According to aspects of the invention, the free ends of the upper and lower arms of the scissor hinge are offset from a center line of the wall mount. Further, the tabs may be positioned on an upper half of each vertical side support. A stabilizer may connect the two top braces approximately midway between the first and second ends of the top braces. The outer end of the extendable portion of the actuator may be pivotally connected to the stabilizer. In certain embodiments of the invention the actuator may comprise a hydraulic jack. Additionally, the backboard may have a cutout suitable for receiving the bracket extending from the frame.

Another embodiment according to aspects of the invention includes an apparatus for coupling a basketball backboard with a wall. The apparatus includes a backboard frame, a base bracket, a wall mount, top braces, bottom braces, a scissor hinge, and an actuator. The backboard frame has opposing vertical side supports defining outer sides of the frame. The top of the frame and bottom of the frame are defined by the top horizontal support and bottom horizontal support respectively. A significant feature of the invention is that the frame does not include or require supports extending through a mid-portion of the frame. Instead, tabs extend outwardly from each side support and the top braces connect to the tabs. The base bracket is fixed to the bottom horizontal support and connects the bottom braces to the frame. The base bracket is further suitable to mount a basketball hoop thereto without contacting the basketball backboard. The wall mount has two longitudinal members and upper and lower spacer members extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal members. At least two top braces have a first end of each top brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of the wall mount and have a second end of each top brace pivotally connected to corresponding tabs of the side supports of the frame. Similarly, at least two bottom braces have a first end of each bottom brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of the wall mount and have a second end of each bottom brace pivotally coupled to the base bracket. The scissor hinge has upper and lower arms coupled together at a mid-pivot hinge. Free ends of the upper arms couple to the upper spacer member of the wall mount and free ends of the lower arms couple to the bottom braces. Also, the free ends of the upper and lower arms of the scissor hinge are offset from a center line of the wall mount. The actuator has an extendable portion and a base portion, wherein an outer end of the extendable portion is coupled to the top braces and the base portion is coupled to the mid pivot of the scissor hinge. This actuator is coupled in a way that a longitudinal axis of the actuator remains approximately parallel with the center line of the wall mount as the extendable portion of the actuator is extended.

According to certain aspects of the invention, the tabs may be positioned on an upper half of each vertical side support to further stabilize the backboard. In an embodiment of the invention an additional stabilizer connects the two top braces approximately midway between first and second ends of the top braces to still further stabilize the backboard. Also, the outer end of the extendable portion of the actuator may be pivotally connected to the stabilizer. In embodiments of the inventions the actuator may comprise a hydraulic jack. The backboard may having a cutout suitable for receiving the bracket extending from the frame.

Another embodiment according to aspects of the invention includes an apparatus for coupling a basketball backboard with a wall. The apparatus includes a backboard frame, tabs extending from the frame, a base bracket welded to the frame, a wall mount, top braces coupled to the wall mount and outer sides of the frame, bottom braces coupled to the wall mount and base bracket, a scissor hinge, and an actuator. The backboard frame has opposing vertical side supports defining outer sides of the frame. Horizontal supports define a top and bottom of the frame. The absence of frame supports extending between the sides and top and bottom create a void without supports extending through a mid-portion of the frame. The tabs are adaptable for receiving pivot pins that connect the top braces to the frame. The base bracket is suitable to mount a basketball hoop thereto without contacting the basketball backboard. The wall mount has two longitudinal members and upper and lower spacer members extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal members. The top braces have a first end of each top brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of the wall mount and have a second end of the top brace pivotally connected with the pivot pins to corresponding tabs of the side supports of the frame. Further, the bottom braces have a first end of each bottom brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of the wall mount and have a second end of each bottom brace spaced apart and pivotally coupled to the base bracket of the frame. The a scissor hinge has upper and lower arms coupled together at a mid-pivot hinge, wherein free ends of the upper arms couple to the upper spacer member of the wall mount and free ends of the lower arms couple to the bottom braces. Additionally, the free ends of the upper and lower arms of the scissor hinge are offset from a center line of the wall mount. The actuator has an extendable portion and a base portion, wherein an outer end of the extendable portion couples to the top braces and the base portion is coupled to the mid pivot of the scissor hinge. A longitudinal axis of the actuator remains approximately parallel with the center line of the wall mount as the extendable portion of the actuator is extended.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a portion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to further explain the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components.

FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of an indoor height adjustable mount system of the present invention mounting a basketball hoop and backboard to a wall;

FIG. 2 is a back left perspective view of a basketball backboard wall mount system of the present invention having an opaque backboard;

FIG. 3 is a front right perspective view of a basketball backboard wall mount system of the present invention having an opaque backboard;

FIG. 4 is a back right perspective view of a basketball backboard wall mount system of the type shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front right perspective view of a backboard and frame of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a back right perspective view of a backboard and frame of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of a basketball backboard wall mount system of the type shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a back left perspective view of a basketball backboard wall mount system of the present invention having portions of the wall mount, backboard and frame removed;

FIG. 9 is a front left perspective view of the basketball backboard wall mount system of the present invention having portions of the wall mount and hoop removed; and

FIG. 10 is a back left perspective view of the basketball backboard wall mount system of the present invention having portions of the wall mount and hoop removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description provides detail of various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each of these embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention also cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention is particularly well suited for mounting a basketball backboard along a wall of an indoor gymnasium. With reference to the Figures, various embodiments according to aspects of the invention will be described in greater detail. FIG. 1 generally illustrates apparatus 10 for coupling a basketball backboard 60 with a wall 14. The height of the apparatus 10 relative to the floor 16 is quickly and easily adjustable in finite increments. The apparatus 10 includes a basketball backboard frame 20, a base bracket 40, a wall mount 70, top braces 100, 102, bottom braces 130, 132, a hinge 150, and an actuator 190. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the frame, support bracing and wall mount will be described now in greater detail. The frame 20 includes vertical side supports 22 and 24, top horizontal support 26 and bottom horizontal support 28. Arrow 30 points to the mid portion of the frame 20. Tabs 32 extend outward from the back of frame and include holes for coupling the tabs to the brace arms. The tabs 32 are preferably positioned on an upper half 34 of each vertical support 24 and 26. Metal trim molding 38 may be mounted to the front of the backboard 60 and frame 20. The ends of the molding may be mitered to provide a secure fit and an improved appearance. The frame supports may be welded or otherwise secured together in a known rigid manner.

Base bracket 40 is positioned to a lower mid portion of the frame 20 and fixed to the bottom horizontal support with welding or other sturdy known attachment. The base bracket 40 includes mounting holes 42 for basketball hoop or rim 54 and hoop mount 54 to fasten thereto. Pivot hole 44 is sized to accept a mounting fastener and base spacer 46 provides added stability and limits bending of the sides of the base bracket 40. The corners of the base bracket include rounded corners to provide added strength to the bracket 40.

Wall mount 70 includes spaced apart longitudinal members 72 and 74. The longitudinal members include wall mount holes 76 suitable for receiving fasteners that fix the longitudinal members to the wall. Longitudinal members 72 and 74 are preferably constructed from angle iron or other rigid material that provides a mounting surface for mounting to a wall and a perpendicular mount surface for mounting supports to the longitudinal members. Upper pivot holes and lower pivot holes 80 extend through the longitudinal members and are adapted for receiving pivot pins or fasteners. Upper spacer member 82 and lower spacer member 84 extend between the spaced apart longitudinal members 72 and 74 and are rigidly fixed to the members. The upper and lower spacer members provides added rigidity to the wall mount 70.

Top brace arms 100 and 100 include first ends 104 that are fastened to tabs 32 with a fastener that extends through pivot holes formed in the tabs. The top brace arms are fixed to the tabs in a manner that allows the brace arms to rotate or pivot up and down. In an embodiment of the invention angle pivot inserts 108 are coupled to the ends 104 of the brace arms 100 and 102. The ends 104 are cut at an angle such that the inserts may be inserted into the ends of the brace arms with the need to bend the arms. The inserts couple to the tabs 32 to thereby couple the brace arms 100 and 102 to the tabs and frame. The second end 106 of each top brace arm is fixed to a wall mount coupler 112. In a preferred embodiment, the coupler includes a three sections 114 wherein the end sections include a hole that functions as a rotational bearing for upper rotation pin 86. Mid stability spacer 118 is fixed to brace arms 100 and 102 to further provide stability to the apparatus 10. Extending from a bottom mid portion of the stability spacer 118 are actuator mounts 120. Additionally, the upper brace arms are mounted to the outside of the frame 20 thereby restricting the ability of the backboard 60 to wobble from side to side.

Bottom brace arms 130 and 132 include a first end 134 having a hole 136 suitable for receiving a fastener to fasten the brace arm to bracket 40. The fastener extends through pivot holes 44 and base spacer 46 in a manner that allows the brace arms 130 and 132 to rotate or pivot up and down. The second end 138 of the brace arms 130 and 132 includes a hole 140 adapted for receiving rotation pin 88. The pin extends through hole 140 and a spacer 90 and a hole in respective hinge arms 156 and 158.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the backboard 60 and frame 20 will be described in greater detail. The backboard 60 is preferably constructed of a transparent glass or plexi-glass to allow vision through the board. As described above, the upper brace arms mount to outer side supports of the frame. In this mounting manner the upper braces are not visible in the inner rectangle region of a backboard. Arrow 30 points to the sweet spot or inner rectangle mid portion of the backboard and frame 20. Tabs 32 extend outward from the back of frame and include holes for coupling the tabs to the brace arms. The tabs 32 are preferably positioned on an upper half 34 of each vertical support 24 and 26. Metal trim molding 38 may be mounted to the front of the backboard 60 and frame 20. The ends of the molding may be mitered 36 to provide a secure fit and an improved appearance. Base bracket 40 is fixed to the bottom horizontal support 28. The base bracket 40 includes mounting holes 42, pivot hole 44 and base spacer 46.

FIGS. 7-10 also illustrate the hinge 150 and actuator 190. Although hinge 50 is shown and described as a scissor hinge type, other hinging mechanism of suitable construction may be utilized to support the raising and lowering of the backboard. Scissor hinge 150 includes upper arms 152 and 154 and lower arms 156 and 158. The upper and lower arms are spaced apart but centered about a longitudinal axis of the wall mount 70. An end of the upper arm and lower arm are fixed together in a pivotal manner at mid hinge 160. Mid hinge includes a mid hinge spacer 162 and mid hinge 164. The free end 166 of each upper arm 152 and 154 includes a hole 168 that is suitable to receive a fastener that fixes the free end 168 to the actuator mount 120 of the mid stability spacer 118 of the upper brace arms 100 and 102. A free end of each lower arm includes a hole suitable for receiving a fastener or pin 88 to couple the free end 170 of the lower arms 156 and 158 to respective pivot spacer 90, bottom brace 130 and 132, and longitudinal members 72 and 74. When the actuator 190 expands the scissor hinge opens thereby raising the backboard and when the actuator contracts the scissor hinge closes thereby lowering the backboard. The actuator 190 includes mounting collar 192 fixed to base 198 and the mid hinge 160 of the scissor hinge 150. The extendable portion 194 of the actuator extends and retracts to the base portion 198. Handle 200 actuates the extendable portion 194 in a known suitable manner. Although square or tubular conduit is shown and described for the frame 20, brace arms 100, 102, 130 and 132, and spacers 118, 112, and 82, those skilled in the art that other suitable materials may be utilized without departing from the intended scope of the invention.

These and various other aspects and features of the invention are described with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This invention has been described herein with detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically different constructions, and that various modifications, both as to the construction and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appended claims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in the open ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated may also be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing this document. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for coupling a basketball backboard with a wall, the apparatus comprising: a basketball backboard frame having opposing vertical side supports defining outer sides of the frame, a top horizontal support defining a top of the frame and a bottom horizontal support defining a bottom of the frame, wherein said frame is void of supports extending through a mid-portion of the frame; tabs extending outward from each said side support; a base bracket fixed to the bottom horizontal support, wherein said base bracket is suitable to mount a basketball hoop thereto without contacting the basketball backboard; a wall mount having two longitudinal members and upper and lower spacer members extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal members; at least two top braces having a first end of each top brace fixed to a spacer that is pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of said wall mount and having a second end of each top brace pivotally connectable to corresponding tabs of said side supports of said frame; at least two bottom braces having a first end of each bottom brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of said wall mount and having a second end of each bottom brace pivotally coupled to said base bracket; a scissor hinge having upper and lower arms coupled together at a mid-pivot hinge, wherein free ends of the upper arms couple to the upper spacer member of the wall mount and free ends of the lower arms couple to the bottom braces; an actuator having an extendable portion and a base portion, wherein an outer end of said extendable portion couples to said top braces and said base portion is coupled to the mid pivot of said scissor hinge.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the free ends of the upper and lower arms of the scissor hinge are offset from a center line of the wall mount.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said tabs are positioned on an upper half of each vertical side support.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including a stabilizer connecting said at least two top braces approximately midway between first and second ends of said top braces.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the outer end of the extendable portion of the actuator is pivotally connected to the stabilizer.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic jack.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including a backboard having a cutout suitable for receiving the bracket extending from the frame.
 8. An apparatus for coupling a basketball backboard with a wall, the apparatus comprising: a basketball backboard frame having opposing vertical side supports defining outer sides of the frame, a top horizontal support defining a top of the frame and a bottom horizontal support defining a bottom of the frame, wherein said frame is void of supports extending through a mid-portion of the frame; tabs extending outward from each said side support; a base bracket fixed to the bottom horizontal support, wherein said base bracket is suitable to mount a basketball hoop thereto without contacting the basketball backboard; a wall mount having two longitudinal members and upper and lower spacer members extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal members; at least two top braces having a first end of each top brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of said wall mount and having a second end of each top brace pivotally connectable to corresponding tabs of said side supports of said frame; at least two bottom braces having a first end of each bottom brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of said wall mount and having a second end of each bottom brace pivotally coupled to said base bracket; a scissor hinge having upper and lower arms coupled together at a mid-pivot hinge, wherein free ends of the upper arms couple to the upper spacer member of the wall mount and free ends of the lower arms couple to the bottom braces, wherein the free ends of the upper and lower arms of the scissor hinge are offset from a center line of the wall mount; an actuator having an extendable portion and a base portion, wherein an outer end of said extendable portion couples to said top braces and said base portion is coupled to the mid pivot of said scissor hinge, wherein a longitudinal axis of said actuator remains approximately parallel with the center line of the wall mount as the extendable portion of the actuator is extended.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said tabs are positioned on an upper half of each vertical side support.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, further including a stabilizer connecting said at least two top braces approximately midway between first and second ends of said top braces.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the outer end of the extendable portion of the actuator is pivotally connected to the stabilizer.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic jack.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, further including a backboard having a cutout suitable for receiving the bracket extending from the frame.
 14. An apparatus for coupling a basketball backboard with a wall, the apparatus comprising: a basketball backboard frame having opposing vertical side supports defining outer sides of the frame, a top horizontal support defining a top of the frame and a bottom horizontal support defining a bottom of the frame, wherein said frame is void of supports extending through a mid-portion of the frame; tabs extending outward from each said side support and adaptable for receiving pivot pins; a base bracket fixed to the bottom horizontal support, wherein said base bracket is suitable to mount a basketball hoop thereto without contacting the basketball backboard; a wall mount having two longitudinal members and upper and lower spacer members extending between and interconnecting the longitudinal members; at least two top braces having a first end of each top brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of said wall mount and having a second end of each top brace pivotally connected with said pivot pins to corresponding tabs of said side supports of said frame; at least two bottom braces having a first end of each bottom brace pivotally connected to corresponding longitudinal members of said wall mount and having a second end of each bottom brace spaced apart and pivotally coupled to said base bracket; a scissor hinge having upper and lower arms coupled together at a mid-pivot hinge, wherein free ends of the upper arms couple to the upper spacer member of the wall mount and free ends of the lower arms couple to the bottom braces, wherein the free ends of the upper and lower arms of the scissor hinge are offset from a center line of the wall mount; an actuator having an extendable portion and a base portion, wherein an outer end of said extendable portion couples to said top braces and said base portion is coupled to the mid pivot of said scissor hinge, wherein a longitudinal axis of said actuator remains approximately parallel with the center line of the wall mount as the extendable portion of the actuator is extended.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said tabs are positioned on an upper half of each vertical side support.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, further including a stabilizer connecting said at least two top braces approximately midway between first and second ends of said top braces.
 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the outer end of the extendable portion of the actuator is pivotally connected to the stabilizer.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic jack.
 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, further including a backboard having a cutout suitable for receiving the bracket extending from the frame. 